Visual Culture Database Form

ARTE344
Spring
2012
Provider: Thomas Flaherty
Number
2
Big Idea/Subject:
spirituality
Major Theme:
The theme of this work
is to display the story
from the Original
mythology of Homer in
which Venus was born
of foam and whisked
away to shore by the
north wind.
Medium/ Presentation:
Tempera canvas
Painting/ artifact
Visual Components:
Emphasis, value,
movement.
Category:
Fine Arts
Pop art
Pop culture
Non-art
Sandro Botticelli
Authorship:
Title:
The Birth of Venus
Original Location:
Unknown Unfortunately, we do not know for sure
which Medici it was painted for, or which location it
was originally hung in."
Description/Interpreta This picture visually depicts the legend of the birth
tion
of the Roman Goddess Venus. In homers epic
poem she is born of foam and the north wind and
Oceanids carry her to the island of Cythera where
she was clothed and worshiped as a goddess.
Here we see Venus, a beautiful young woman who
is about to be given cloths by her hand maiden. I
believe that just based on what is seen in this art
one can deduce that the piece has allot to do with
purity and virginity as it depicts birth and life.
Use in Teaching:
This Work can be used in a very great number of
ways in teaching. For one thing, this picture is a
Renaissance work which is regarded as some of
the best foundations for teaching technical skill

Source:

out there. Also however this picture is visual

depicting information. So then this work can be
used to help exemplify the importance of being
able to communicate to the viewers through ones
art. It is an essential skill for adolescents to be
able to learn to express their thoughts and
accurately convey information in their work.
Finally it is a work in which two subjects can be
taught, both art and history. In art skill and ideas
can be gathered but in learning the story as well
they are becoming one with another subject as
well.
What do we see in this picture?
How has the artist used his work to
communicate to us?
What are some examples that we might do
this in more modern art?
What are some ways we could use these
ideas in our own art
http://www.italianrenaissance.org/botticelli-birthof-venus/

Tom,
Jennifer and I have both reviewed this VCDB. Please hone in on one big idea,
one major theme, describe the piece, interpret the piece and come up with a
concrete lesson and teaching guiding questions. KS
Grade: VCDB #2: 7/10